Ngawang C. Drakmargyapon
Phayul Special Correspondent
Geneva, Sept 28: According to the International Performing Arts in the Netherlands, artistes of Dharamsala-based Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) began a “50th Anniversary Tour” in the country with a premier performance in Arnhem on 24 September. The performance opened with a Gyumed monk from India reciting a Buddhist Mantra.
The show has been described by the organisers as a “unique mixture of art and Buddhism”.
The show titled ‘Colourful Tibet’, which is to conclude on 24 October, offers a selection of folk- and mysterious, sacral dancing, some of them with colourful masks. In the performance you have impressive movements, colourful costumes, the typical sound of the voices and the traditional Tibetan instruments.
Unlike earlier performances, this tour show will have in the background projections of nature, Tibetan art and photos made in the Tibetan Children’s Village and at TIPA. The production is realised by the Dutch choreographer and expert on Asian dance Mr. Jan Knoppers together with the artistic director of TIPA Mr. Lobsang Samten.
“It was gratifying to watch the premier performance on how the folk, traditional and classical dances and music of Tibet and unique Tibetan opera are being preserved through the rich performance by the artistes of TIPA,” said Ms. Tsering Jampa, Executive Director of the International Campaign for Tibet-Europe. “I found it very relieving that a new generations of Tibetan have shoulder the responsibility,” she added.
International Performing Arts “initiates and produces, along with Theaterburo Schmid and Asian Performing Arts, artistically interesting and high-quality theatre productions. International Performing Arts is part of a larger international link of company’s and producers. International Performing Arts develops performances with partners in Europe (like Russia, Hungary, Germany, Turkey) Asia (China and India/Tibet) and North-and South America (New York City and Argentina).”
At the direction of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, TIPA was established on 11 August, 1959 by five dedicated Tibetans in the North Indian town of Kalimpong. Fifty years later, the institute “has produced 483 professional artists out of which 110 have successfully passed out as outstanding teachers. Many of these teachers and artistes have associated themselves with Tibetan schools in India, Nepal and Bhutan in passing on the legacy of Tibetan traditional performing arts to the younger generation to ensure its continuity.”
TIPA’s current tour with 23 people, led by the Institute’s director Mr. Wangchuk Phasur, will perform in more than 25 locations across the Netherlands.
Click Here for more photos of the Premiere in Arnhem
